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John Sabal

@loveatfirstjdm

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‘99 Skyline R34 GTR V-Spec
@official.team.nexus
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@importcrate
@detailgaragearlington
Christ is KING!

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Story time…

Let’s go back a decade, to 2016/2017…

Where my JDM ownership journey started…My first dream car…The original “Godzilla” Nissan Skyline R32 GTR 🔥🔰🇯🇵

I grew up loving JDM cars, since I was a wee lad. I was reading Sport Compact, Super Street and Import Tuner magazines, watching The Fast And The Furious and Initial D, playing Tokyo Extreme Racer and Need For Speed Underground etc. Much like a lot of other millennial car enthusiasts.

I went into the Navy in 2012, and I was blessed to receive orders to Japan, which is exactly where I had always wanted to go. Right before I was honorably discharged from service in 2016, I was made aware that one of my fellow Shipmates had a gray Skyline R32 GTR shell that had been sitting on base in Sasebo for quite some time with only a transmission, but he had blown the motor. I worked with some Japanese friends to help source an RB26 to have put into the car, while I was on deployment. Another female Shipmate on base had recently crashed her R32, and she was able to sell me the RB I needed.

I was determined to bring this legend back to life, by any and all means necessary.

I had the car properly built and assembled by a GTR Master Mechanic while on my last deployment. The car was then placed into my name, registered in Japan, and prepped for shipment to the States, shortly after my arrival, as part of my pack out. It would take a few months before the car would arrive, after my discharge.

I was living in a suburb of Philadelphia (Philly) at the time, which is where I am originally from. The car came by ship to the port in Maryland. At the time, I was one of the first people in the United States to have a fully registered and legal R32, as they had just recently become Federally legal to own. I had a blast with this car, I would drive it almost every day, much like my R34 now, and I went to many meets.

Tragically, I was forced to sell my dream car after being in a really bad car accident with my daily, an Altima. I didn’t have another Skyline until 2025, when God blessed me with my ultimate dream car, the R34 GTR.

Just a little background and history of what would become “LOVE AT FIRST JDM” 🔥🔰❤️ by @loveatfirstjdm

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2 months ago

There are certain moments in life which you will cherish and never forget…

Taking ownership of my dream car, the legendary Nissan R34 GTR V-Spec, was one of those moments…

Having Mr. GTR, the father of the modern GTR and new Z himself, Hiroshi Tamura @mid_night_new_wave take the time to come sign the dashboard of my dream car at 2025 @gtr.festival, is another.

I asked him what the Japanese characters are that he adds to his signature, and he said “Dream” and his family name “Tamura”.

So very fitting, because his dream has inspired many, many millions, myself included around the world who share the same love and passion for these legendary Nissan cars…young and old, across all demographics who also have a dream to one day own one of the greatest cars ever made.

What an incredible and surreal experience, thank you so much Tamura San. Your contribution to the automotive world is immeasurable, and I am so very grateful to have had this experience. 🙏🏻 taken in Texas Motorplex by @loveatfirstjdm

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a year ago

Southlake PD LOVES ME! 🤣😩🚔

Funny enough, it was the SAME cop from my first Southlake PD encounter. He was super chill like the first time. 🙏🏻

See companion POV video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVnTzDvDQcY/?igsh=MW5ic3J0MmJhczE1eQ== by @loveatfirstjdm

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7 months ago

I really didn’t know what to expect…😳😬🤯 by @loveatfirstjdm

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6 hours ago

I NEVER imagined THIS would happen while dropping off my R34…😳😬🤣 by @loveatfirstjdm

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4 days ago

And, the journey begins…@gsmotorsports

I’ll see y’all in a few weeks.

BETTER. STRONGER. FASTER.🔥🔥🔥

I promise. by @loveatfirstjdm

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6 days ago

The pain that comes with owning a 26-year-old JDM legend. 😩😭 Borescope update.

She will be back BIGGER, FASTER, AND STRONGER than ever before! 🔥🔥🔥

Stay tuned for further updates, and thank you to everyone for the support. 🙏🏻🫡 by @loveatfirstjdm

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11 days ago

The LAST thing any car enthusiast wants to see…😩😩😩 by @loveatfirstjdm

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15 days ago

The saxophones are getting louder…😬😬😬 by @loveatfirstjdm

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16 days ago

The pain that comes with owning a 26-year-old JDM legend. 😩😭 The Aftermath.

I was able to get an expert, my good friend German @gsmotorsports to swing by and look at my car quickly, while he was in my area going to visit a friend.

It’s not what any of us expected. 😳

To be continued… by @loveatfirstjdm

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16 days ago

The pain that comes with owning a 26-year-old JDM legend. 😩😭 Pt.1

Thank God my boy Manny @ignite_fuel was following closely behind me, so at least this time we weren’t alone on the freeway at night. He’s a REAL ONE! by @loveatfirstjdm

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17 days ago

@loveatfirstjdm
@detailgaragearlington
@notyourluck.studios
@rav4dad

The POV from my point of view !!! by @loveatfirstjdm

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18 days ago